Colorado Football Suffers Worst Loss of Deion Sanders' Era at Oklahoma State

Colorado football hasn't won a Big 12 conference game in over a year. One of the strange, but true facts and there isn't much hope left for the rest of the 2026 season. The Buffs suffered a 57-24 loss to Oklahoma State on Saturday night. This marked the most points allowed by a CU team in the Deion Sanders' era.

A week ago, Sanders revealed that he told his team he was proud in the wake of a loss. Coach Prime spoke of the team’s fight and belief that they could win. The very mention of that seemed to infuse the fanbase and online commentary with some level of hope and optimism for this week’s game.

Colorado came in with the 4th-best defense in the country based on the total defense metric. They were facing Heisman Trophy candidate Drew Mestemaker. It would be no small task containing a top 10 passer in the country.

The first half went relatively well compared to expectations. Oklahoma State scored first on only three plays. Colorado matched with a 12-play scoring drive. Then Colorado’s defense forced a three and out. Following that up with an 11-play scoring drive.

The second quarter was a collection of volley scoring. Both teams traded touchdowns on the third and fourth possessions. They traded field goals across the next three possessions. Quarterback Issac Wilson completed 87.5% of his passes and receiver Joseph Williams recorded 133 yards in the half. Colorado held a small 24-23 lead going into halftime.

The second half was a movie we’ve seen before.

The worst tendency a team can have is ‘inventing new ways to lose’. The second worst is continuing to lose the same way. The irony is that the concept was the primary issue with the 2025 team and the catalyst for another roster rebuild. This time, leaning into under recruited and less expensive players. Colorado is losing games the same way.

There have been two specific games in the NFL in the last decade plus that share a moment with this game. Super Bowl 48, when a bad snap got past Peyton Manning and the Broncos never recovered, losing that game 43-8. Another bad snap went over the head of Ben Roethlisberger in the AFC Wild Card game in 2021. The Steelers went on to lose that game 48-37. Against Oklahoma State, in the first play of the second quarter Isaac Wilson turns the ball over.

The third quarter included two Oklahoma State touchdowns in only 10 plays combined, while Colorado contributed a fumble, three punts and an interception. Even that first interception is a recurring idea. Wilson faced pressure almost immediately on that play, moving back and to his left. As he was getting pulled down, he saw a receiver. Instead of going down and taking the minimal loss on 2nd and four, he let it fly into tightening double coverage.

The fourth quarter was much of the same. The ship is taking on water, and the rate of decline is almost constant. Punts and turnovers while the opposition scores touchdowns and field goals. The game began with Colorado leading 14-7, then 24-3 at the half. To then progress to down 37-24 and then ultimately lose the game 57-24. Giving up 34 unanswered points and unable to score a touchdown in two and a half quarters.

How the recent loss fits in with the others

The concept of complementary football simply evades this team. Anything that starts well doesn’t end that way. If there’s a bad start, they’ll fight and make it interesting but fall short. When the running game is a threat, the passing game is down. When the passing game is going, they abandon the run. When the defense carries the team, the offense does little to stay competitive.